By Crispin Kaheru
I will start with a disclaimer: This is not your experience. It’s mine. Flying with Uganda Airlines on the Entebbe–Gatwick route was, quite simply, a pleasant surprise. The kind you want to tell everyone about.
A few weeks ago, I boarded their flight out of Entebbe. Departure was scheduled for 03:40. We all know the “African time” jokes. Uganda Airlines clearly doesn’t. At least it did not on that day. At exactly 03:40, the aircraft pushed back. Precision. Discipline. No fuss.
Even better, we landed at Gatwick forty minutes ahead of schedule. That meant gliding through immigration, collecting my luggage and meeting my people without the usual “sorry for the wait” apology. That alone scored big points. In aviation, time is not just money, it’s respect.
On the return flight from London, things got even better. As I stepped off the passenger bridge, Jean-Marie Ishimwe, one of the cabin crew, greeted me with a bright smile and a warm “Welcome aboard.” Then, in Luganda he said to me, “Webale nyo, ssebo.” That “thank you” in a London skybridge was priceless. In that instant, I felt home already before the plane had even left British soil.
I barely had time to fasten my seatbelt before Vanessa Komuhangi appeared with, “Would you like a welcome drink?” Many would go for champagne; I chose fresh orange juice. “It’s fresh,” she assured me and I believed her.
The whole crew carried that rare balance of grace and professionalism. They weren’t just doing a job, they were owning it, and you could feel the difference.
Then there was Senior Purser Kasemiire Ronnie Abwooli, running the cabin like a symphony conductor. She briefed her crew, oversaw service and made every passenger feel like a VIP. Spotting her name tag, I mentioned my own empaako (pet name). Her professional smile melted into a personal one. The kind that carries depth and genuine connection. That little exchange turned the journey from pleasant to memorable.
Cabin Crew Member Aloysius Ssempija handled safety with crystal-clear precision, his demonstration as clear as the waters of Lake Bunyonyi. He patrolled the aisle with the watchfulness of an African hawk eagle, but with the poise of a seasoned diplomat. He never hovered, never pushed, always appeared just when needed, like a well-timed line in a great play.
In the cockpit, there was mastery. Captain Ehima Azikie and First Officer Vanita Kayiwa delivered aviation at its finest. Takeoff was smooth, climb steady, cruising rock-solid, descent flawless, and landing so soft I had to double-check we had actually touched down at Entebbe.
Mid-flight, Captain Azikie strolled through the cabin, not because anything was wrong, but because he cared enough to check on us. A small gesture that spoke volumes. If First Officer Kayiwa had the controls then, she held them with skill and composure.
This wasn’t just a flight. It was a showcase of Ugandan and African professionalism in the air. The kind that restores your faith in national pride and service delivery.
Now, a quick word about airports. I like Gatwick. It doesn’t shout for attention like big brother Heathrow. It’s smaller, calmer, and faster to get through. No endless queues, easy security, and lounges you can actually enjoy. It’s the kind of place that gets you from curb to gate without making you wish you had stayed home.
And to be fair, Entebbe International Airport is stepping up too. The refurbishments are visible. The queues are shorter, the spaces brighter, and there’s a quiet sense that the place is ready for bigger things.
So, here’s my verdict. Whether you’re travelling solo, with family, for business, for love, or just for the thrill of it, Uganda Airlines is worth your time and your trust.
On the Entebbe–London route especially, they’ve won me over. Should my experience ever sour, I will be the first to say so. But until then? Uganda Airlines, you’ve got a fan in me. Mwebale nyo. The author, Crispin Kaheru, is a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).
